STO: Kirk Turns 80

William Shatner, the renowned actor who plays the role of the legendary Captain James Tiberius Kirk turns 80 today. Born on 22 March 1931 in Cote Saint-Luc, a neighborhood in Montreal, Quebec, he is the only son of three children of Anne and Joseph Shatner.

Shatner was first cast as Captain James Kirk for the second pilot of Star Trek and was contracted to play Kirk for the original series from 1966 to 1969. In 1973, he returned to be the voice of Kirk in the animated Star Trek series. He was slated to reprise the role of Kirk in Star Trek: Phase II but the series was cancelled and evolved into Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Shatner continues to play the role for the next 7 films until the character’s death in Star Trek: Generations.

We at TOG STO division salute and wish William Shatner, the true and original Captain James T. Kirk, The Happiest of Birthdays!